Supportive care for parathyroid cancer
Supportive care helps people meet the physical, practical, emotional and spiritual challenges of parathyroid cancer. It is an important part of cancer care. There are programs and services available to help meet the needs and improve the quality of life of people living with cancer and their loved ones, especially after treatment has ended.
Recovering from parathyroid cancer and adjusting to life after treatment is different for each person, depending on the stage of the cancer, the organs and tissues removed during surgery, the type of treatments and many other factors. The end of cancer treatment may bring mixed emotions. Even though treatment has ended, there may be other issues to deal with, such as coping with long-term side effects. A person who has been treated for parathyroid cancer may have concerns about the following.
Vocal cord paralysis
Vocal cord paralysis is when the
Vocal cord paralysis can cause problems with speaking, breathing and swallowing. Signs and symptoms of vocal cord paralysis include:
- hoarseness
- breathy voice
- high-pitched sounds during breathing (stridor)
- difficulty breathing
- coughing or choking when swallowing food or drink
Treatment for vocal cord paralysis often includes voice therapy to help improve your voice and cope with any changes in your voice. Speech therapists (speech-language pathologists) assess and treat voice and speech problems. They work closely with surgeons and oncologists to make sure you get the help you need.
Sometimes vocal cord paralysis is treated with surgery. Certain surgeries may be done to improve the function of the vocal cords and the airway. An injection of a substance into a paralyzed vocal cord can also be used to help the vocal cords work better.
Questions to ask about supportive care
To make decisions that are right for you, ask your healthcare team questions about supportive care.